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Pedroia Could Potentially Return To Red Sox Lineup On Tuesday

BOSTON (CBS) --  After missing the last six weeks with a hamstring injury, Dustin Pedroia could be back on the field for the Red Sox as early as Tuesday.

Pedroia still needs to receive medical clearance to return, and the Red Sox want to make sure he is 100 percent when he retakes his spot at second base. Interim manager Torey Lovullo is hoping that clearance comes Tuesday morning when Pedroia is examined by the team's doctors.

"If he reaches that final checkpoint, we'll try to get him in there [Tuesday]," Lovullo said Monday prior to Boston's matinée game against the Toronto Blue Jays. "But everything has to be 'all systems go.' This can't be a maybe, it has to be 100 percent yes. If we get that verdict from the medical team, he'll be playing [Tuesday].

"I know Dustin is really excited where he is at right now, and that's where we want him to be," added Lovullo.

Pedroia missed 16 games at the end of June and early July with a right hamstring strain, returning for just six games before the injury flared up again. He went 1-for-22 at the plate during those six games before landing back on the disabled list on July 22.

Lovullo's concern with Pedroia remains with the player's health, because he knows the second baseman will be ready to go whenever he's cleared to hit the field.

"He has been taking mental at-bats every day before he goes to sleep, when he wakes up, when he comes in. I know he is doing everything he can to prepare for clean, productive at-bats," Lovullo said Tuesday. "That seems to be the issue everyone has had, but for me, that isn't an issue."

It's unclear how much Pedroia will play upon his return, though Lovullo hinted over the weekend that he could return for one game, take the next day off and then play two straight before another off day. Lovullo hopes to have a plan for Pedroia's return set in place by Tuesday.

In 75 games this season, Pedroia was hitting .287 with a .389 OBP to go with nine home runs and 34 RBIs.

 

 

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